Written Friday June 11th at 9:45 PM
Hello everybody, the MHSAA released the districts for Girls Volleyball. Here are my early thoughts on each district and insight as well. Most districts are in Division One with the last one being in Division Two for the postseason.
Usually in the past the volleyball districts are the prelude to the basketball districts but it hasn't always been the case.
Here they are. This blog will be updated periodically once we get updated information.
District 5 at Lakeland
CLARKSTON
Holly
Walled Lake Northern
Waterford Kettering
Lakeland
FAVORITE: Clarkston
NEXT:Walled Lake Northern
WILDCARD: Lakeland
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Paige Giethbrock-Clarkston
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district in White Lake. Clarkston should be the favorite in this district. They are loaded for new coach in Alison Smith. The Wolves have Skylar Jidas, Elizabeth Adams, Ella Post, Anna Kuebler, Cali Bordine, Sheeva Hajimirza, Kendall Lozzi, Emily Kuebler, McKenna Hempton, and Paige Giethbrock coming back from a team that went to the Division One state semifinals last season. Lakeland is a darkhorse in this district and they have home court. The Eagles have Rachel Zurack, Eve Martin, and Julia Fledderjohn coming back for Coach Meghan Polce. Walled Lake Northern should be Clarkston's toughest challenger in this district. The Knights have Alyssa Bashir, Ava Epley, Olivia Bonkowski, Hannah Tims, Sarah Tims, Isabella Harding, Abby Zang, and Kayla Budziak coming back for Coach A’Jhanne Smith. Waterford Kettering has Emily Nuttall and Naomi Hilliard coming back for Coach Rod Armstrong. Holly should be the darkhorse in this district. The Bronchos lost a ton of experience from last season and will have a new coach. They have Delaney Jenkinson, Isabella Smith, Mary Grace McAninch, Selah Beeler, Marissa Walker, and Macy Martin coming back. This should be an interesting district to say the least as mentioned.
District 6 at West Bloomfield
NORTH FARMINGTON
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Novi
Walled Lake Central
Walled Lake Western
FAVORITE: Novi
NEXT: Walled Lake Central
WILDCARD: West Bloomfield
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Charlotte Warner-North Farmington
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be an interesting district that has two OAA teams, two Lakes Valley League teams, and a Kensington Lakes Activities Association team. West Bloomfield has a new coach in Nancy McKowen. McKowen has a ton of coaching experience at Milford and at Lake Orion. The Lakers have Kalin McCoury, Cara Hartley, Lily Wardle, Paige Geiser, Marissa Bovo, Kate Horvath, Kennedy Knox, Arianna Hood, Nicole Albani, and Nadia Smith coming back. There is some proven experience but the coaching transition will have to happen during the season which will be a challenge for the Lakers. The early favorite in this district is Novi. The Wildcats have a few players in Grace Dziedzic, Ally Sharnowski, Charlotte Stoy, Kaitlyn Hoffman, Sarah Calanchi, Lauren Trainor, Rachel Karr, Reganne Bennett, Sarah Vellucci, and Katie Harpenau coming back for Coach Kacy Bryon. They had a deep postseason run getting to the Division One State semifinals last season. North Farmington should be very interesting to keep an eye on. The Raiders have Amelia Scarchilli, Giseele Kassab, Charlotte Warner, Erica Fetterman, Jenna Lee, Maya Weisberger, Emma Berlanger, Nyla Peter-Koyi, Grace Garrett, and Mary Dadisho coming back for Coach Michael Love. Walled Lake Central should be an interesting team to watch with Dru LeValley, Ella Sechrist, Kate LeValley, Gabbi Hajji, Mya Arafat, Alison Karana, Ava Wojciechowski, and Ashlyn Campbell coming back for Coach Sarah Schmidt. Walled Lake Western has Julia Orando, Alyssa Samp, Jordan Baetz, Kylie Dickinson, and Ryah Dewey coming back for Coach Gino Salciccori. Novi is the early favorite as mentioned but this is the gray court of West Bloomfield and upsets have happened in the past.
District 7 at Birmingham Marian
SEAHOLM
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
FARMINGTON
Birmingham Marian
Farmington Hills Mercy
FAVORITE: Birmingham Marian
NEXT: Farmington Hills Mercy
WILDCARD: Seaholm
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Ava Brizard-Birmingham Marian
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be an interesting district especially when there are two Catholic League powers that met three times last season (regional final) and it's very likely that they will meet again three times this season with both teams being in the same district which is very odd for volleyball standards. Birmingham Marian won the Division One State Championship last season. They are loaded again and have home court for the district this season. The Mustangs have a ton of experience in Sarah Sylvester, Ava Brizard, Ava Sarafa, Sophia Treder, McKenzie Swanson, Ella Schomer, Reagan Sass, and Lauren Heming coming back for Coach Mayssa Cook. Farmington Hills Mercy has Ella Shields, Erin Kline, Leah LaFontaine, Amina Robinson, Liz Kitchen, Lauren Smiley, and Lauren Mullan coming back for Coach Loretta Vogel. The Marlins are coming off a very tough loss to the Mustangs in the regional finals last season. Seaholm could be a darkhorse if things go right has a ton of experience in Audrey Brown, Makena Justice, Maggie Liebler, Ella Stangland, Katie Sullivan, Jessie Rebock, Jordan Lindner, Sydney Ryan, Lily Fischer, Katrina Ness, and Makayla Bolnick coming back for Coaches Jason and Heather Gambone. Farmington has some questions after losing a ton of talent from last season for Coach Kate Drews. Bloomfield Hills is a very interesting team to watch. The Blackhawks have Lauren Chioini, Hannah Teer, Ava Petrucci, Grace Siepierski, Danielle Rasi, Alex Voss, Ashlea Nwabueze, and Gabrielle Jefferies coming back for Coach Larry Wyatt. I really don’t see anyone beating the Catholic League powers unless they are in the same side of the bracket then anything is possible.
District 8 at Oxford
AVONDALE
LAKE ORION
OXFORD
PONTIAC
ADAMS
Waterford Mott
FAVORITE: Lake Orion
NEXT: Oxford
WILDCARD: Adams
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Mandy Knieper-Lake Orion
INSIGHT: This should be an interesting district that features a couple of powerhouse programs. Adams has been very successful as of late making deep district postseason runs despite being in a district with Stoney Creek and Utica Eisenhower. The Highlanders run has ended in districts with Stoney Creek and Utica Eisenhower but the MHSAA moved Adams to another district. Adams beat the Dragons and the Wildcats in the regular season last year which should give them some confidence. The Highlanders have Jenna Jenkins, Rosalia Simon, Jacoby Fylnn, Ella Pease, Alyssa Edwards, Nikitha Srikrisha, and Gracie Teolis coming back for Coach Terry Baughman. Lake Orion has proven postseason experience despite falling to Clarkston in the district finals last season. The Dragons have Nina Horning, Hannah Lynch, Anna Wandrie, Lauren Peters, Kara Delventhal, Piper Talaga, Anja Roedenback, Kayla Chen, Mandy Knieper, Malinda Brunk, and Jada McCauley coming back for Coach Tony Scavarda. Avondale is an interesting team despite really struggling last season. The Yellow Jackets have Emily Beckas, Anna Lubman, Ariyana Ingall, Laila Hammond, Madison Grenier, and Marissa Zoller back for Coach Andrew Stepp. Oxford is an interesting team to watch and they are at the Ian Smith Gym which helps a lot. The Wildcats have been a proven power and have improved each season. Oxford has Raegan Bell, Baylee Proctor, Ava Wiscombe, Ashley Horne, Rachel Townsend, Carleigh Turek, Margaret Feltz, Kealey Kolp, and Paige Hasselbring coming back for Coach Brian Kim. Pontiac really struggled last season and they could very well do so again for Coach Kyrie Hoffman. Waterford Mott has struggled in the Lakes Valley Conference. The Corsairs have Sophia Vue, Dylan Chamberlian, and Kinsley Lamb coming back for Coach Kirk Bagg. I’m seeing this district right now being a three team district but could be a four team district if things work out in someone’s direction.
District 27 at Detroit Renaissance
BERKLEY
OAK PARK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Detroit Mumford
Detroit Renaissance
Warren Fitzgerald
FAVORITE: Berkley
NEXT: Detroit Renaissance
WILDCARD: Warren Fitzgerald
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Sawyer Jones-Berkley
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district in Wayne County. The early favorite has to be Berkley in which they shocked a ton of experts. Coach Eric Wachterhauser has done a remarkable job turning the program around in his first season coaching the program. Wachterhauser is looking for more in his second year. Berkley has a ton of experience from their district championship team which won their first crown since 2012. The Bears have Hannah Roddis, Jordan Budzinski, Sawyer Jones, Claire Leonard, Ella Schneider, Ava Beard, Ariel Gibson, Sammi Withrow, Sophia Dawkins, Lily Keefe, Skylar Walter, and Amayah Watkins coming back to give them that experience. Detroit Renaissance should be the Bears toughest challenger in this district. The Phoenix fell to Berkley in the district finals last season. Detroit Renaissance should be a team to watch with Summer Hutchins, Mackenzie Flowers, Trinity Loundmon, Mackenzie Jarvis, Sydney Hall, Lauren Greene, Keiana Burr, and Brooklyn Jones coming back for Coach Louis Mitchell. Southfield Arts and Tech and Oak Park did not field teams last season. Warren Fitzgerald was decent even though they were in the Macomb Area Conference Bronze last season. Detroit Mumford really struggled and could do so again this season. As of right now this looks to be a two team district between Berkley and Detroit Renaissance.
District 29 at Stoney Creek
ROCHESTER
STONEY CREEK
Romeo
Utica Eisenhower
Port Huron
Port Huron Northern
FAVORITE: Stoney Creek
NEXT: Utica Eisenhower
WILDCARD: Port Huron
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Julia Gilbert-Port Huron
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be an interesting district over on Tienken and Sheldon Road which features two Oakland County teams, two Macomb County teams, and two St. Clair County teams. Stoney Creek has to be the early favorite because of the talent they have coming back and home court as well. The Cougars have Sydney Tomlak, Kierra Shanahan, Tiffany Tang, Lucie Hranacova, Kathleen Brown, Sydney Bell, and Grace Lombardo coming back for Coach Ross Talbott. Port Huron comes into this district after being with New Baltimore Anchor Bay and Macomb Dakota for a long while. They shared the Macomb Area Blue title last season with Utica Ford II. The Big Reds have Julia Gilbert, Mia Jacobs, Lainey Lochota, and Ella Jacobs coming back for Coach Derek Arena. Rochester made some noise in the postseason. They upset Romeo in the district semifinals but fell to Utica Eisenhower in the district finals. The Falcons have Leah Stone, Abigail Carballo, Marissa Gallagher, Maddie Nikolic, Lilly Pratt, and Jasmine Savoi coming back for Coach Kirk Gibbs. Utica Eisenhower lost two really talented players who were all state from last season’s district championship team. The Eagles have Ava Wolfe, Izzy Biermann, Gianna Jakubowski, Nina Tabaka, Santa Kalaj, Katie Smith, and Santina Fioritto coming back for Coach Kaitlyn LaPratt. Romeo had a decent season last year and will look to be better. The Bulldogs have Trista Ameel, Caitlyn Jaskowski, Cassidy Banach, Ella Lackowski and Elizabeth Fowler back for Coach Stacey Williams. Port Huron Northern whom is a newcomer to this district struggled last season. The Huskies should be better this season. They have Allison Caughel, Kylie Guyette, Hailey Guilloz, Marley Patterson, Abby Landschoot, Lilly Knowlton, Cooper Manuillow, Jersey McHregor, Madison Palmer, and Anna Kerhoulas coming back for Coach Randi Kaufmann. This district is looking very interesting to keep an eye on for sure.
District 30 at Troy Athens
GROVES
ROYAL OAK
TROY
TROY ATHENS
Warren Mott
FAVORITE: Troy
NEXT: Troy Athens
WILDCARD: Groves
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Madison Kinsman-Troy Athens
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be an interesting district with a ton of storylines coming into the season and once the postseason starts. Groves has a blend of youth and experience with Lauren Brown, Lydia McKeever, Mara Chalifoux, Ava Kirchinger, Lauren Sample, Dajah Mines, Becca Apsey, and Heaven Harris coming back for new coach Madison Clouse. Troy has some questions but never count out a Coach Tom Viligant squad. The Colts have Savannah Baranowski, Aliya Walters, Tessa Johansson, Sam Watson, Alvina Zaitona, Lauren Boehmer, and Lindsey Van Buhler coming back. Warren Mott had a great year making it to the district semifinals before falling to Berkley in the district semifinals last season. The Marauders should be a player this season in the Macomb Area Silver for Coach Camisha Coleman. Troy Athens should be an interesting team to watch as they have home court. The Red Hawks has proven experience in Madison Kinsman, Gillian Ciak, Alexa Withun, Anneliese Schriber, Ally Moscone, Casey Gruber, and Nya Mays coming back for Coach Jeff Williams. Royal Oak should be interesting to see as Coach Ciara Schultz has done well heading into her third season with the Ravens. This is shaping up as mentioned to be a very interesting district to keep an eye on for sure.
District 57 at Detroit Pershing
FERNDALE
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY
Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Hazel Park
Detroit Pershing
FAVORITE: Birmingham Detroit Country Day
NEXT: Ferndale
WILDCARD: Hazel Park
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Emily Foster-Ferndale
INSIGHT: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district in Detroit. Birmingham Detroit Country Day looks to be the favorite with whom they have back along with the proven postseason experience. The Yellow Jackets have three all state players in Nyla Muskovin, Paige Elliott, Morgan Lockhart, Laurence Abraham, and Serena Nyambio for Coach Kim Lockhart. Ferndale should be Birmingham Detroit Country Day’s toughest challenger in this district. The Eagles have some district championship experience of their own in Emily Foster. Foster has done really well in her career for Coach Rachel Burnham. Hazel Park is another interesting team to watch. The Vikings have some talent and are well coached under Coach Sherry Rietz. I don’t expect much from Ferndale University or Detroit Pershing in this district but you never know. The Eagles are well coached under Coach Kenton Maki despite their struggles. It will be interesting to see if Ferndale University will make some noise. I see this district for now being a two team district.
MHSAA Districts
https://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/Girls-Volleyball/2021-Districts
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